AP Psychology : Biology and Sensation
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Example Questions
Example Question #45 : Brain And Nervous System
Which of the following parts of a neuron are responsible for helping speed up neural impulses?
Myelin sheath
Axon
Terminal Buttons
None of these
Dendrites
Myelin sheath
The myelin sheath is the fatty layer that covers the axon. It helps to speed up nerve impulses and keeps them channeled on the neuron.
Example Question #231 : Biology And Sensation
Which individual is commonly credited with the discovery of the brain structure called the pons?
Andreas Vesalius
Giulio Aranzio
Gabriele Falloppio
Costanzo Varolio
Costanzo Varolio
Varolio, a 16th-century anatomist and lecturer, was likely the first anatomist to study the brain from the bottom upwards, instead of the traditional top-down approach used by anatomists until that time. He also correctly theorized the pons as being vital in communication between the brain and spinal cord.
Example Question #232 : Biology And Sensation
A patient arrives in the hospital after a sudden injury to the head. The patient is lucid enough to talk, has a fast, thready pulse, is hyperventilating without fear response, and has abnormally low blood pressure and body temperature. Which part of the brain most likely took damage from the injury?
Brainstem
Midbrain
Hindbrain
Forebrain
Hindbrain
The hindbrain is the division of the brain containing the pons, medulla, and cerebellum, which are together largely responsible for autonomous processes of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature.
Example Question #233 : Biology And Sensation
Which of the following is closest to how many times faster a myelinated nerve sheath can transmit a neural impulse compared to an unmyelinated sheath?
There is no difference in speed.
Myelination works by providing a faster medium (fatty material) for the transmission of electrical impulses than could otherwise be achieved. While not present on all nerve fibers, myelinated nerves are found throughout the body.
Example Question #234 : Biology And Sensation
Too much __________ in the body can cause muscle spasms and tremors, while too little can cause paralysis and torpor.
GABA
dopamine
epinephrine
acetylcholine
dopamine
The presence of dopamine in excess causes the classic symptoms of agitation, which can include inattention, aggressiveness, inability to focus the eyes, and in severe cases muscle tremors or spasms. In severe cases of dopamine limitation, paralysis, torporous aspect and even death can occur.
Example Question #231 : Biology And Sensation
When an impulse reaches the end of one neuron and needs to cross the synaptic gap, neurotransmitters are released by the ____________.
Synaptic vesicles
Myelin sheath
Dendrites
Synaptic branch
Synaptic vesicles
The vesicles, located in the synaptic knob, also help with the resorption of used neurotransmitters during the reuptake phase.
Example Question #101 : Biology
Areas of the cerebral cortex which are associated neither with primary motor movements nor with sensory input or processing are referred to as _____________.
coordination areas
sympathetic areas
limbic areas
association areas
association areas
Association areas, such as Broca's area, are involved in "higher" brain processes such as pattern recognition, speaking, thinking and memory.
Example Question #235 : Biology And Sensation
Which of the following is the best definition of neuroplasticity?
The ability of each of the brain's halves to duplicate the function of the other half, allowing humans to survive/thrive with only half a brain if necessary
The ability of the brain to change, in structure, shape, and function, over the course of a lifetime
The ability of the brain to, over time, regenerate lost neural tissue, and replace broken neural connections
The ability of the brain to "work around" damaged areas, diverting the former functions of damaged tissues elsewhere
The ability of the brain to change, in structure, shape, and function, over the course of a lifetime
Neuroplasticity replaced the former "static organ" model of brain functioning through recognition that in response to changes in behavior, environment, or even injury to the brain, the brain's functions, structure and shape can change. This plasticity occurs at both the synaptic and non-synaptic levels.
Example Question #236 : Biology And Sensation
The __________ is/are a ring-shaped association of different brain structures in the forebrain, commonly associated with emotions and memories.
somatic system
limbic system
hippocampal grouping
association areas
limbic system
The limbic system is composed of the septum, cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus, and amygdala, plus other more minor formations. This system is particularly associated with the formation of memory.
Example Question #237 : Biology And Sensation
The transmission of neural impulses in the brain is regulated through __________.
the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters
the process of reuptake of neurotransmitters
All of the other answers
the action of enzymes that break down neurotransmitters
the release of excitatory neurotransmitters
All of the other answers
All of the answers lead to regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain, thus leading to regulation of neural impulses. A combination of releasing inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters and also removing them from the synapses leads to the diverse neural impulses in the brain.
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